Automatic hot water pulsating alarm for water heaters

Abstract

A hot water pulsating alarm system and method for electric or gas-fired water heaters is described. A sensor senses the water temperature in an upper region of the water tank of the water heater and feeds temperature signals to a controller. The controller operates an electromechanical valve connected to the pressurized cold water supply line of the water tank. Upon detecting a low temperature value stored in the memory of the controller, the controller causes a shut-off electro-mechanical valve to close and open in a predetermined sequence and during a predetermined time period. This causes interruptions of hot water being drawn from the upper region of the water tank to feed a hot water supply conduit and creating a pulsating water temperature change in hot water being discharged through fixtures connected to the hot water supply conduit. The pulsating temperature change is detected by a user person having a body part in contact with water dispensed from fixtures secured to the hot water supply conduit and indicating to the user person that the water heater will be shut-off.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A hot water pulsating alarm system for water heaters comprising a controller, a temperature sensor secured to a water tank of said water heater in an upper region of said water tank where hot water is drawn through a water outlet to feed a hot water supply conduit, said temperature sensor feeding temperature signals to said controller representative of actual water temperature in said upper region of said water tank, a domestic water supply conduit to feed water under pressure to a water inlet conduit of said water tank to replenish water in said water tank drawn through said water outlet, a shut-off valve secured to said water inlet conduit, a communication link between said controller and said shut-off valve for operating the state of said shut-off valve, said controller having a computer readable memory having recorded thereon statements and instructions for executing by a computer said statements and instructions when receiving predetermined temperature signals from said temperature sensor, said controller when receiving a predetermined low temperature signal from said sensor causing said shut-off valve to be operated to close and open in a predetermined sequence and during a predetermined time period to cause interruptions of said water under pressure to said water inlet and consequently to said feed of hot water to said hot water supply conduit in the event that hot water is being drawn to create a pulsating water temperature change of water being drawn through fixtures connected to said hot water supply conduit and which temperature change constitutes a pulsating signal to a user person having a body part in contact with said pulsating water temperature change that said water heater will be shut off. 
     
     
       2. The hot water pulsating alarm system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said controller is programmed to re-open said valve upon receiving a predetermined high water temperature signal from said temperature sensor and generating a signal to said user person that said water heater as returned to a normal operating condition. 
     
     
       3. The hot water pulsating alarm system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said low temperature signal is indicative of a water temperature wherein bacteria could proliferate, said high temperature signals being indicative of a water temperature typically of 140 degrees F. or other high temperature setpoint of an upper thermostat. 
     
     
       4. The hot water pulsating alarm system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said shut-off valve is a solenoid operated valve connected to a voltage supply, a switch connecting said voltage supply to said shut-off valve, said switch being operated to close and open said valve at said predetermined programmed sequence. 
     
     
       5. The hot water pulsating alarm system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said fixtures include counter basins, shower heads, and bathtub fixtures equipped with water mixing valves to mix hot and cold water to control the water temperature being dispensed through said fixtures. 
     
     
       6. The hot water pulsating alarm system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein there is further provided a local audible alarm device controlled by said controller, said controller having a programmed function to operate said local audible alarm device upon reception of said predetermined low temperature signal. 
     
     
       7. The hot water pulsating alarm system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said controller is programmed to communicate a water heater shut-down signal to a wireless communication device upon reception of said predetermined low temperature signal, and a further signal upon restored normal operating conditions of said water heater. 
     
     
       8. The hot water pulsating alarm system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein there is further provided a default function programmed in said computer memory which when inputted by a user person causes said operation of said shut-off valve by said controller to be disabled. 
     
     
       9. The hot water pulsating alarm system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein there is further provided a water leak sensor secured adjacent a bottom end of said water heater, said water leak sensor having a connection connected to said controller to provide a signal indicative of water being present adjacent said bottom end of said water heater, said controller operating said shut-off valve to close said feed of water under pressure to said water tank upon detection of a water leak. 
     
     
       10. A computer implemented method for automatically initiating a hot water pulsating alarm by a controller of a water heater which controls a shut-off valve connected to a domestic water supply conduit which feed water under pressure to a water inlet conduit of a water tank of said water heater, said water tank having a water outlet in said upper regions thereof to draw hot water to feed a hot water supply conduit, said method comprising the steps of:
 (i) providing a controller having a computer readable memory having recorded thereon statements and instructions for executing by a computer said statements and instructions, 
 (ii) sensing by a temperature sensor the water temperature in an upper region of said water tank, 
 (iii) feeding temperature signals to said controller indicative of actual water temperatures sensed by said temperature sensor, 
 (iv) operating a shut-off valve by said controller, when receiving a predetermined low temperature signal from said temperature sensor, to close and open said shut-off valve in a predetermined sequence for a predetermined period of time to cause interruptions of said water under pressure to said water inlet and consequently to said feed of hot water to said hot water supply conduit to create a pulsating water temperature change of water being drawn through fixtures connected to said hot water supply conduit and which temperature change constitutes a pulsating signal to a user person having a body part exposed to said pulsating water temperature change that said water heater will be shut-off. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein after step (iv) there is provided the step of said controller operating said shut-off valve to close until said controller receives a predetermined high actual water temperature signal from said temperature sensor, said controller causing said shut-off valve to open upon receiving said high temperature signal. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein after said step (iv) there is further provided the step of said controller communicating the closure and opening of said shut-off valve to remote wireless communication devices upon reception of said predetermined low and high temperature signals and the closure thereof, and a further signal upon the restoration to normal condition of said water heater. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10  wherein said step (iv) comprises operating a switch through which is fed a voltage supply for operating said shut-off valve, said shut-off valve being a solenoid valve. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10  wherein after step (iv) there is further provided the step of operating a local audible alarm device by said controller when receiving said predetermined low temperature signal. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10  wherein there is further provided the step of detecting water leakage in a bottom end of said water heater indicative of leakage of water from said water tank, feeding a water leak detecting signal to said controller by a water leak detector, said controller having a programmed function to operate said shut-off valve to close said feed of water under pressure to said water tank upon receiving a water leak signal from said water leak detector. 
     
     
       16. A computer programmed controller comprising a computer readable memory having computer executable instructions thereon that when executed by a computer preform the method steps of  claim 10 .